God's Own Junkyard @ Circus of Soho

If you haven't heard of Chris Bracey then head down to Beak Street and check out his pop up shop/ exhibition space. You probably already know more about his work than you think though. The guy has been 'the Neon Man' for the last 37 years, building up a huge body of work that's been used in films, fashion and beyond! You can't miss the inviting glow that practically beams you into this wonder emporium of neon...

Check out his site for more fabulous work.

Hollywood Costumes exhibition @ the Victoria and Albert Museum

I think this is possibly the most anticipated exhibition of the year. The press, quite rightly, have been going crazy for it since it was announced at the beginning of the year. 

The exhibition is guest curated by the Academy Award nominated costume designer, curator, author and historian, Deborah Nadoolman Landis, who along with her team, took over five years to bring together 100 of the most iconic costumes in films history. The roll call is to die for, but the exhibition also explores the integral role of the costume designer and how they bring a story to life...

''Costumes are one channel by which a character is transformed from the written page to a multi-dimensional people. The costume designer gives the clothes to the actor, the actor gives the character to the director, and the director tells the story. When a character and a film capture the public’s imagination; the costumes can ignite worldwide fashion trends and influence global culture. Cinematic icons are born when the audience falls deeply in love with the people in the story. And that’s what movies, and costume design, is all about'' - Deborah Nadoolman Landis. 

The exhibition opens this Saturday, October 20th until 27th January 2013. It's going to be very popular so make sure you book!

Test yourself, see if you can name all the costumes above. Answers at the bottom if you need a little help!

Top image from left to right...Cate Blanchett’s regalia from Elizabeth, Charlie Chaplin’s getup from The Tramp, Kate Winslet’s ship-boarding ensemble fromTitanic, Christian Bale’s Batman suit from The Dark Knight Rises, Meryl Streep’s coat from Out of Africa,Brad Pitt’s Fight Club outfit, Ginger Rogers’s dress from Lady in the Dark, Marilyn Monroe’s fur stole and sequined shift from Some Like It Hot, Judy Garland’s “Dorothy” dress from The Wizard of Oz, and Gwyneth Paltrow’s Elizabethan frock from Shakespeare in Love.

Ballgowns exhibition @ the V&A

Finally got round to seeing the Ballgowns, British Glamour since 1950 exhibition at the VandA last week. As you can imagine, there was a delicious selection of gorgeous gowns, from an array of top class designers. It was great to see the newly renovated fashion galleries too, which proved to be a classy setting. If like me you are a little late in seeing the exhibition, fear not, you still have until January 6th 2013 to get up close and personal with these beautiful examples of British craftsmanship.

Festival of the World Museum

As part of their Festival of the World activities the Festival Hall has a museum in it's underbelly, which explores how we can make the world a better place. Maybe that description is a bit fluffy, but they can say it better than me, so read the below if you can be bothered. If you can't, then all you need to know is that this free exhibition is well worth a visit. You can even become a 'new citizen of the world', if you so wish,  which comes with its own passport! There is even a photo booth on site and a passport office to register your details...Intrigued?

the Venezulan Youth Orchestra

the man and me are in there somewhere...

The Queen's Jewels

The Queen's Garter Badge. ''Originally made for George IV, the badge was given as a wedding present to Prince Albert from Queen Victoria who wore it after his death''.

Pair of emerald and diamond earrings. ''One of Queen Mary’s Cambridge emeralds was matched by Garrards, who also supplied the 22 brilliant-cut diamonds at a total cost of £350. The earrings, first worn for the Delhi Durbar, were inherited by The Queen in 1953''.

The Queen's Garter Star. ''Originally a present to King George VI on his marriage, it was given to Princess Elizabeth by her father at the time of her investiture with the Order of the Garter in 1947''.

Emerald, diamond, platinum and gold bracelet. ''The bracelet, made for Queen Mary to wear at the Delhi Durbar, incorporates three of the Cambridge emeralds and is en suite with the necklace''.

The Vladimir Tiara, Russia,c.1890. ''Made for Grand Duchess Vladimir, aunt of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II, the tiara was smuggled out of Russia during the Revolution by a British diplomat. In 1921 it was sold by the Grand Duchess’s daughter, Princess Nicholas of Greece, to Queen Mary, who adapted the tiara to take fifteen of the celebrated Cambridge emeralds as an alternative to the original pearls. The tiara was inherited by The Queen from her grandmother Queen Mary in 1953.''

The dress is a Norman Hartnell cream silk gown with full skirt, lattice and foliate beaded embroidery. Worn for official portraits of The Queen taken by Baron in 1957.


All the jewels and descriptions are from the awesome Dress for the Occasion, Royal Site.

Kusama at the Tate Modern

On a random, free afternoon last month, i decided to pop into the Tate Modern to linger over the much talked about Yayoi Kusama exhibition. Now, i admit, i didn't know much about Kusama until all the exhibition related articles starting streaming out, which was actually really refreshing. I went in with a clear mind and was completely bowled over. Every room produced an internal 'wow' moment, until i couldn't hold it in any longer and was actually gasping with joy towards the end. This woman's journey through her art is spectacular and i will never do it justice through words. It needs to be experienced. In a shit-hot cultural calender year, this is going to be the exhibition to beat. Good Luck Damien.

The Fashionable Queue